Hotspot 7

This entry way is hidden behind several unmaintained trees. One may reach this location by walking past the Sunset Rec gate towards the parking structure, and up the slope leading to the entrance. The area is mostly a dirt path lined with old concrete molds and broken signs. Sunset Rec is one of the most popular lounging areas for residents/faculty/staff and is visited thousands of times on any given week (sometimes even more during the summer). Because entry into the Rec Center is not free for visitors there is

a high incentive for people to sneak in through this back entrance especially if they are bringing visitors to the school. When we first approached this area we noticed that there were no functioning lights. The only light posts present were either marked with red tape labeled “not working” or ripped out of the ground. The only visible sign, a disability placard, was also laid out on the ground covered in dirt. This entrance is preceded by a dirt path that is not clearly visible without walking further up the road. It seems there are several areas to hide in such as behind the poorly maintained foliage or behind the curve in the road that is dark from being shaded from the sun. There are no people around this area except for the parking structure, which is one of the least popular places to park on campus. We also noticed a difference between the security on this premises versus that of the athletic aquatics center only a few meters away. While this pathway had no lights, cameras, or signs, the aquatics center appears to be maintained, properly surveillanced, and populated. The surrounding area encourages people to be there mostly because this pathway is near the main entrance of Sunset Rec, which is monitored during regular business hours. However, the fact that this area is hidden by unmaintained foliage makes it difficult for staff and students to see past the bushes where the walkway entrance lies. In front of the backway, there is a dimly lit parking structure. We found an emergency pole but discovered that it was not easily located due to its far proximity from the walkway and poor lighting in the parking structure. Our general impression of this area is that the back entrance is definitely a hot spot.